A BOMB squad was scrambled and guests evacuated over after a hoax explosive threat was called in at the Brighton Grand Hotel.

The TUC conference is taking place in the city and the Labour Party will be returning to the south coast for their conference in two weeks.

Rex Features

The Brighton Grand Hotel was evacuated over a suspected bomb threat

Brighton Grand Hotel evacuated as cops swarm venue amid ‘bomb threat’

Rex Features

Officers went floor to floor through the hotel

Rex Features

The telephoned bomb threat was called in at around 4.30pm

Officers went floor to floor in the hotel and roads were closed after the bomb threat was called in.

It has since emerged the threat was a hoax and nothing suspicious was found.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Thorough searches took place with the assistance of specially trained police search advisers, local officers, police dogs, and military ordnance disposal experts, in order to establish as soon as possible whether or not the call was a genuine one.

"Nothing untoward was found and the call is being regarded as a hoax.”

Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell said; "It was important that this report was thoroughly looked into, and we are grateful for the patience and understanding of staff, guests, and people using the nearby car parks, whose afternoon and evening was disrupted.

"A comprehensive criminal investigation is underway to trace the person responsible for the call. We are not disclosing any details of the call, but certain lines of enquiry are being actively followed."

MOST READ IN NEWS

SUICIDE BY SNAKE

Man lets black mamba KILL HIM and live streams it after marriage breakdown